Missing AP Score

<p>My S took both AP Computer Science and AP Stats last year. They scheduled both exams at the same time (seems odd to me, I would think many kids would take both...) He had to take the Computer Science test a couple weeks later (they called it an Alternate Test Date). </p>

<p>We still have not received the score and I just called College Board and she said it's not available, check back next month. I explained that he starts college in 2 weeks. She said there is nothing they can do. Her suggestion was to just not take any Computer Science the first semester and wait to see what the grade is and sign up accordingly in the spring. That seems like a lot to ask for their issue.</p>

<p>Isn't the goal of AP tests to take a college course in HS and then not take it at college when you start? Don't they know that these kids are determining their schedules based on these tests? </p>

<p>If they aren't going to provide a score prior to school starting, seems we should at least get our $84 back. </p>

<p>Any suggestions?</p>

<p>I guess I would contact your S's college and explain the situation to them. Depending on how course selection works at your S's college and what he intends to study, the timing may work out. If the credit your S gets on those two AP exams doesn't kick in until second semester, perhaps he can postpone taking the courses that credit would affect until then. I suspect this is not the first time the situation has arisen and that your son's freshman advisor may well have some helpful answers for you.</p>

<p>S was advised by his faculty advisor not to schedule anything during his first semester that might be impacted by a pending AP score.In his case,Math and Language reqs were at issue with pending scores, so he didnt schedule those classes.Seems pretty simple to me...</p>

<p>Is your son considering a major in Computer Science? If he is, then not taking computer science his first semester could put him behind in his major (especially if it turns out that his AP score was not high enough to exempt him from the first CS course). </p>

<p>I suggest asking the college whether it has its own Computer Science placement test. Perhaps your son can place out of the beginning course on the basis of that test.</p>

<p>If your son is not a Computer Science major, then waiting a semester to take Computer Science is probably OK.</p>

<p>
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Isn't the goal of AP tests to take a college course in HS and then not take it at college when you start?

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</p>

<p>Nope...Not at all! The point of the AP tests and classes is to challenge yourself in high school. Many people use the tests for college credit, but it is highly unadvisable to do so, especially if that introductory course is required by your child's prospective major. Neither AP classes or exams can compare to a full-blown college class. </p>

<p>As a graduate student, I've had in depth conversations with the undergraduate advisor in my department regarding using AP exams for college credit (I am an aspiring departmental undergraduate advisor). He told me that he STRONGLY suggests (everything short of forcing, as he can't do so) students take the introductory classes regardless of AP scores and I emphatically agree. </p>

<p>If your child indeed did do well enough on the AP exam to test out of the introductory level course, look at it as padding to his GPA in case he wants to apply to graduate school in the future. Also, he certainly wasn't taught EVERYTHING taught in the college-level course and would still have something to gain by taking it.</p>

<p>Edit: So basically, I suggest he takes the Comp Sci course in the fall fresh so he doesn't get behind in his curriculum. He will fall behind if he doesn't score high enough and has to take the intro course in the spring. If he does (did) score high enough, he'd likely be placed into the course he'd be taking in the spring after the fall intro course anyway.</p>

<p>I am aware that there seem to be many opinions on both sides of the argument regarding whether to take the college credit and skip to the next class based on AP scores. The opinions seem to be very mixed, with both professors and current college students coming down on both sides of the argument. </p>

<p>For 3 of the 4 classes that my son is taking fall semester, he took the AP class in HS. Yet he is going to take (some say re-take) the class in college. Many students are 'jumping ahead' at the college, however, we all figured that (a) he doesn't know the score for the CS and (b) he took Calc as a junior and (c) it could be a great 'transition aid' to be learning / re-learning the material covered in HS. We are told it will put him at a disadvantage in other ways, but getting off to a good start could be pretty valuable.</p>

<p>In retrospect, and if I had another child coming up through the ranks, I would probably advise them to not even sign up for the AP tests. If you're not going to take the credit, why go through the testing and paying all the fees for the tests. </p>

<p>But it is somewhat frustrating for him to go through the process and not being able to at least know the AP score and what the options would be.</p>

<p>Does your son's school have a "shopping" or "drop/add" period? If so, he may be able to tentatively register for both the course he hoped to place out of and the one he hoped to place into, and hopefully before the end of that period he'll have his AP score. Even if not, your S may decide that he wouldn't want to accept the AP credit anyway, if the lower level course seemed preferable. I don't know if all colleges allow that sort of flexibility, but many do, so it'd be worth investigating.</p>